Towards a Moral Conception of Allyship

This thesis strives towards a moral conception of allyship rooted in respect in order to address rising critiques that regard allyship as a morally bankrupt and ineffective practice. The thesis proceeds by first examining the pragmatic institutional understanding of allyship and how such an understanding justifies the critiques of re-centering that are raised against allyship. In an effort to address these concerns, this thesis raises concerns about the roles of beneficence and love in allyship and proposes an understanding of allyship rooted in respect where that respect is best understood as respecting the right to self-determination of oppressed communities.